Vietnam’s participation in the World Nuclear Energy Summit reflected its support for international initiatives promoting the development and peaceful use of atomic energy, particularly nuclear power.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang proposed that Slovenia share its experience in management, safe operation, environmental standards compliance and human resources development at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant – one of Europe’s highly rated facilities in terms of safety and efficiency since it began operations in 1983.
Becoming an association country is particularly important as Vietnam enters a new stage of development, remaining steadfast in its goal of carbon neutrality and green energy transition.
The selected achievements and events reflect the increasingly important role of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in improving institutions, promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defence and security, and enhancing Vietnam’s position amid deep international integration.
VietNuc’s executive board, including Chairman Bui Nguyen Hoang from the Électricité de France SA (EDF) (EDF), Ung Quoc Hung from Setec Nucléaire Group, and Vu Minh Ngoc from French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Andra, hoped that the Congress would refine mechanisms and policies to better tap OV nuclear talents.
To promote energy transition, Vietnam should develop a long-term energy transition strategy, improve institutions, diversify energy sources, modernise power infrastructure and strengthen international cooperation.
From December 1–11, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) through the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to host an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission in Hanoi. The delegation consists of seven IAEA experts, three international specialists invited by the agency from the UK, Brazil and Bulgaria, and one observer from Egypt.
Khanh Hoa province is expediting site handover for Nuclear Power Plant Projects 1 and 2, aiming to complete site clearance and transfer land to investors before December 31 in line with the Prime Minister’s directive.
During the official visit to Bulgaria by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam in late October, Petrovietnam’s delegation, led by Chairman of the Members’ Council Le Manh Hung, held a series of meetings with Bulgarian partners to promote collaboration in key energy areas.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed ministries and agencies to step up negotiations with Russia on the construction of Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement, he noted, should comply with standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, and match Vietnam’s conditions.
The risks of power shortages, project delays, and the lack of a fully competitive market are major challenges for Vietnam’s energy security.
The first-ever World Atomic Week (WAW) provides an opportunity for Vietnam to explore cooperation prospects not only with Russia but also with other countries.
Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW dated August 20, 2025 of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security through 2030, with a vision to 2045, sets out specific goals. Regarding nuclear power, the Resolution calls for the prompt implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power projects with suitable partners, ensuring Vietnam’s maximum benefits while taking into account previous agreements, and bringing them into operation in the 2030–2035 period.
Vietnam pledges to actively engage in international initiatives such as ZODIAC on combatting zoonotic diseases, NUTEC Plastics on reducing ocean microplastics, Atoms4Food on promoting food production and safety, and Rays of Hope on cancer prevention and treatment.
The French side pledged to share technical guidelines and safety standards, with the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) ready to provide training for Vietnamese specialists.
For the Party Committee, authorities and people of Khanh Hoa, this is both a responsibility and a source of pride, promising to accelerate local and national development in a new era.
With over 100 million citizens increasingly online, Vietnam must safeguard its data and infrastructure while developing domestic solutions to avoid dependence on global tech powers.
The Party and the Government pay special attention to accelerating the development of clean and green energy sources to support double-digit socio-economic growth target and ensure national energy security, focusing on developing the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).